In 2023, a stunning new 10-day, 120km-long hiking path known as the Wadi Rum Trail opened, which weaves through the rust-red walls of Jordan's iconic Wadi Rum, tracing the otherworldly landscapes featured in the films Star Wars, Dune and The Martian. Visitors have traditionally breezed through the desert here on 4x4 tours, but this community tourism project promotes a slower, more sustainable form of travel that protects the desert's delicate ecosystem while safeguarding the rich cultural heritage of the local Bedouin community.
Elsewhere, this Maine-sized nation is teeming with 33 protected land and marine ecosystems. At the Wadi Mujib Biosphere Reserve (the world's lowest-lying nature reserve at 410m below sea level), visitors can search for the illusive desert-dwelling Nubian ibex while climbing, swimming and sliding their way through a sandstone gorge to the base of a crashing waterfall. The Dana Biosphere Reserve (Jordan's largest), is home to 180 bird species and 25 endangered mammal species. The rich coral reefs of the Aqaba Marine Reserve, which was added to the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas in January 2025, support more than 500 fish species and a growing diving scene. – Florence Craig
14. Haa Valley, Bhutan
Almost completely isolated from the outside world for centuries, this erstwhile hermit kingdom nestled in the Himalayas only began welcoming foreigners in 1974. It's since become a global leader in sustainability: it's the world's first carbon-negative nation, more than 60% of its land is protected forest and it measures Gross National Happiness instead of GDP.
The Haa Valley, a pristine forested district along Bhutan's western frontier with Tibet, has long been the country's best-kept secret: a culturally distinct region still untouched by mass tourism. This forgotten corner of the Thunder Dragon Kingdom was the last district to open to foreigners in 2002, and today, fewer than 2% of international travellers visit, despite it being a yak's graze from Paro International Airport. It's now emerging from the shadows, balancing preservation with thoughtful development in its bid for more visitors.
Travellers can explore Haa's raw beauty through the newly restored 400km Trans Bhutan Trail; the freshly-added 11km Haa Panorama Trail (a revival of an ancient route); and the two-day Joy Bay Tsho Trek, which snakes through pastures, canopy forests and bamboo groves between the villages of Mochu and Youkha.
Haa's commitment to sustainable tourism means you'll find locally run homestays (and some local hotels) offering glimpses into centuries-old rural life. Two distinct, low-impact accommodations have also opened: the community-run Katsho Eco Camp, built along the Haa Panorama Trail by guides and cooks who lost their jobs during the pandemic, and the luxury Sangwa Camp. Here, visitors witness local culture, like Bon rituals and rare experiences such as breakfast in Bhutan's lone strict nature reserve, a highly protected biodiversity hotspot home to rare species like the red panda and snow leopard.
With Bhutan's Sustainable Daily Fee halved through 2027 (now $100), this once-secluded paradise is now more accessible while remaining just as committed to low-impact tourism. – Erin Levi

15. Hawaii, US
More than a year after a series of deadly wildfires devastated Maui, the entire state is experiencing a dramatic downturn in visitors. As families and local businesses continue to rebuild, they're asking travellers to return, but to do so responsibly.
Enter the Mālama Hawaii programme. Meaning "to protect" or "give back", mālama is a Hawaiian word embodying a sense of stewardship and respect for the environment. As such, the programme pairs travellers with more than 350 volunteer opportunities, ranging from restoring native forests to sewing and cooking with Maui families to helping to preserve plant and animal habitats on the slopes of Mount Kea. In exchange, travellers receive discounted – or in some cases, free – stays at dozens of hotels and resorts across the islands, including the famous Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea where the first season of The White Lotus was filmed. – Eliot Stein
16. Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan has one of the youngest populations in the world – more than 60% are under 30. Being surrounded by a sea of young people on Tashkent's metros, which double as art museums with Soviet-era mosaics, you can see a new generation taking over. As the country strives to maintain its unique traditions and cultures, it is investing in tourism with new hotels, train routes, domestic flights and cultural attractions to grow its economy, retain its youth and attract more visitors.
Uzbekistan is getting its first major international biennial with the Bukhara Biennial in September 2025. Other major cultural developments include an expansion of the State Museum of Arts designed by Tadao Ando and the restoration and partial reconstruction of the Palace of Prince Romanov.
As of May 2024, citizens of more than 90 countries (including the UK, Canada and Australia) can visit Uzbekistan without a visa. The president has said he intends to create a Global Green Tourism Startup Lab to bring together the country's commitment to a green economy with tourism. Crossing the border with neighbouring countries has also become easier. The region's first international railway route, the Silk Road railway tour, launched in November 2024 and now connects Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. – Kathleen Rellihan
17. Haida Gwaii, Canada
Haida Gwaii, an archipelago of more than 150 islands off the coast of British Columbia, offers more than breathtaking landscapes – it provides a profound connection to nature, culture and history. Isolated from the mainland, the ecologically rich islands are home to more than 6,800 species, including endemic birds, mammals and plants that have sustained the Haida People for at least 15,000 years.
What makes Haida Gwaii a standout destination in 2025 is the groundbreaking Gaayhllxid/Gíihlagalgang "Rising Tide" Haida Title Lands Agreement. This legislation marks a transformative moment in Indigenous rights in Canada, officially recognising the Council of the Haida Nation as the territory's governing body under federal law. This shift is working to revitalise Haida culture and strengthen their environmental stewardship.
Visitors can explore long-abandoned Haida villages like SG̱ang Gwaay, a Unesco World Heritage Site with ancient mortuary poles and longhouse remains; and encounter distinctive wildlife such as the Haida Gwaii black bear (called taan in the local dialect) and seabirds like puffins and ancient murrelets. Upon arrival, guests are introduced to Haida Laws, including the concept of Gina 'waadluxan gud ad kwaagid ("everything depends on everything else"), a teaching that underscores our shared responsibility to care for the Earth. – Diane Selkirk
18. Emerald Coast, Nicaragua
Home to mist-shrouded rainforests, emerald lakes, towering volcanoes and one of the Americas' oldest and most attractive cities (Unesco-enshrined Granada, which celebrated its 500th anniversary in December 2024), Central America's largest country remains one of its least visited. That may soon change with the opening of the new Carretera Costanera: a $400m, 350km-long highway linking 53 beaches along the nation's Pacific Coast, from the Gulf of Fonseca in the north to the turquoise waters of Playa El Naranjo in the south.
Set to be completed in 2025, the ambitious new infrastructure project makes it much easier to shoot south from Nicaragua's sprawling capital, Managua, to the tropical forests and the world-class surf hubs of San Juan del Sur and Popoyo along the country's 50km-long Emerald Coast – which has been luring in-the-know backpackers for years. More importantly, the Costanera is aiming to breathe new economic life into the nation, which is one of the poorest in the Western hemisphere and views its growing tourism sector as key to its economic growth.
After learning to ride a wave at a locally owned surf camp and sleeping in a treehouse tucked inside a rainforest, venture to the Refugio de Vida Silvestre La Flor at the highway's southern tip, where thousands of endangered olive ridley and leatherback turtles lay their eggs between September and October in a once-in-a-lifetime experience. – Eliot Stein
19. Isle of Man
Despite being ringed on all sides by the UK – Northern Ireland to the west, Scotland to the north, England to the east and Wales to the south – this cliff-fringed island isn't actually part of the Commonwealth. Instead, the self-governing isle is said to be ruled by the world's oldest continuous parliament, the Tynwald, and it's committed to preserving its distinct character and developing a sustainable tourism model.
Awash with ancient historical sites, such as Cashtal yn Ard ("Castle of the Height", the largest Neolithic tomb in the British Isles) and Castle Rushen (one of the most complete medieval structures in Europe), the 85,000-resident island is decidedly forward-thinking. In 2016 it was recognised as a Unesco Biosphere (the world's only self-governing territory whose entire land and sea area has such designation) for its commitment to environmental preservation and cultural heritage. This year, witness the isle's spectacular native bird species at the new Manx Birdlife Point of Ayre National Reserve, which opened to the public in July 2024. Also on tap for 2025 is the 175th anniversary of Okell's Brewery, so celebrate this iconic Manx brew by partaking in tasting tours that will be held throughout the year.
In addition to learning a few words in Manx Gaelic (the island's historical language) and familiarising yourself with the Manx pound (the island's unique currency), one of the best ways to understand this unique British Crown Dependency is to explore it on foot. Taking advantage of the isle's myriad of organised walking events, hikers will find rolling English fields, misty Irish hills and craggy Welsh coastlines – as well as dramatic Scottish Highland-esque peaks on the Isle's highest point, Snaefell mountain. On a clear day, trekkers can turn in a circle on its wind-whipped summit to see each country in the UK and Ireland. – Lynn Brown
20. Pakistan's Gilgi-Baltistan region
Pakistan is one of the world's most populated nations, yet it remains one of the great surprises for travellers. That may soon change, as the country is hoping a slew of responsible tourism initiatives and new sustainable efforts will lure eco-conscious visitors to explore its breathtaking northern regions; home to five of the planet's 14 peaks towering over 8,000m – including the world's second highest, K2.
Salam Pakistan (Pakistan's first-ever national tourism brand, which launched in 2023) allows travellers to easily apply for e-visas and make bookings on the digital platform, including the coveted mountaineering and trekking visa. It only takes a quick glance at the list of mountain peaks and treks to see the scale of Pakistan's unmatched adrenaline opportunities.
Yet, Pakistan is much more than staggering mountain trails. The scenic Gilgit-Baltistan region – dubbed "heaven's gate" – is brimming with lush valleys, pristine lakes and glacial waterfalls. Cradled between trails are the Hunza Valley's fragrant cherry blossoms and apricot orchards, undulating Unesco-listed Deosai plains and Shangri-La-esque mirrored lakes. Venture towards the Pakistan-China border to find the Khunjerab Pass, which will be operational year-round starting in 2025. – Aysha Imtiaz

21. Azores
Marooned in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean some 1,500km west of Lisbon, this nine-island Portuguese archipelago is one of Europe's most isolated destinations and is known for its steaming natural hot springs, jewel-coloured lakes and sparkling lava tubes. The Azores already boast some of the continent's most dramatic black-sand beaches and best whale-watching opportunities, but the islands can now add another superlative to the list: Europe's largest protected marine sanctuary.
In a groundbreaking piece of legislation approved in October 2024, the Azores' newly designated Marine Protected Area will extend 287,000 sq km (an expanse larger than all of Great Britain) and safeguard deep-sea corals, sharks and the 28 species of whales and dolphins found here. Protecting the long-term health and biodiversity of these coral reefs will be a boon for travellers eager to participate in whale-watching and sustainable marine research expeditions in the years to come.
Elsewhere, a scenic drive from the capital of Ponta Delgada, Furnas Valley is home to two active volcanoes. Spend some time hot spring hopping your way across the bubbling geothermal valley, wander through lush botanical gardens or enjoy a leisurely stroll in Terra Nostra Park, arguably one of Europe's most beautiful parks. Dating back to 1775, the eponymous Terra Nostra Garden Hotel is a bonafide green retreat that will offer guests 24-hour access to their newly enhanced thermal pools and jacuzzis starting in January 2025. Don't leave without sampling the cozido das Furnas – a local meat stew buried underground and slow-cooked using the volcanic hot springs' natural heat. Nearby, sample purple volcanic tea at Chalet da Tia Mercês, or plan a visit to the family-owned Gorreana Tea Factory, the oldest (and only) tea plantation in Europe. – Michelle Gross
22. Kansas City, Missouri, US
Kansas City, Missouri is making 2025 its glow-up year. The city heretofore known as "Paris of the Plains" is busily promoting its creative arts scene and status as one of North America's barbeque capitals, all while launching an urban revitalisation plan that includes new museums, entertainment districts and hotels.
At the heart of the rebrand is the Museum of BBQ, the world's first museum dedicated to the art of smoked meat. Slated to open at the Crown Center shopping district in spring 2025, the immersive experience will delve into Kansas City's deep barbeque culture, leading visitors through interactive exhibits culminating in a gift shop selling all manner of BBQ goods.
The Berkley Riverfront will continue to see new dining experiences, shops and apartment buildings among its incoming development.
The Kansas City International Airport completed significant renovations in 2023, with the $1.5bn expansion replacing outdated terminals and improving passenger flow. This year will also see upgrades to the KC Streetcar; a 3.5-mile Main Street extension expected to open this summer that will make it even easier to reach some of the city's premier destinations, including the Union Hill shopping district and the National WWI Museum and Memorial – home to the world's most comprehensive collection of World War One objects and documents. And when Rock Island Bridge re-opens in spring 2025, it will become the site of a new entertainment district set 40ft feet over a river. – Eva Sandoval

23. Bolivia
Even if you've already stargazed at the spacelike Uyuni salt flats (the world's largest) and trekked breathlessly around the hilly capital of La Paz (the world's highest), Bolivia is worth a visit in 2025. This August marks the country's 200th anniversary and it's celebrating with events and attractions throughout the year in the capitals of its nine regions.
Visit from 24 February to 5 March for the Oruro Carnival, which includes a multi-day folk-dance parade and has earned Unesco Heritage status for preserving oral tradition. In Potosí, sip a bicentennial singani (Bolivia's answer to Peru's pisco). This strong spirit, now a symbol of national pride, is said to have started viticulture in the region in the 1500s in what was once a booming mining town – and Potosí still has the colonial architecture to prove it.
Bolivia has the largest proportion of Indigenous people in South America, with roughly two-thirds of the population directly related to the area's original inhabitants. The Guaraní are among those who reside in Bolivia's prettiest city Chuquisaca (also called Sucre), where the declaration of independence was signed in 1825; visit the Museo de Arte Indígena for an up-close look at the country's ancient textile tradition. The Aymara people of the altiplano welcome visitors to the Isla del Sol (an island in the middle of Lake Titicaca) whose moonlike terrain makes for an incredible daylong hike. Elsewhere, a new network of community-based tourism brings attractions (and work opportunities) to these sometimes-remote communities, such as the Chalalan Ecolodge in the Amazon's Madidi National Park, where capybaras, cougars and macaws make their homes. – Laura Norkin
24. Botswana
Botswana has been hailed as Africa's leader in green safari tourism due to its expansive wildlife reserves and the government's focus on high-income, low-impact ecotourism policies; a strategy that has traditionally meant allowing fewer tourists. But as the country ushers in a new government and continues to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, its tourism sector (and sustainable cache) only stands to grow in 2025, with an increased demand for sustainable and culturally immersive travel experiences. In a bid to bolster tourism and strengthen the economy, Botswana has granted visa-free entry to visitors from 104 countries in recent years – including those from the US, UK, Germany and Canada. This means more travellers can now explore Botswana's natural beauty, including the "Elephant Capital of the World", Chobe National Park, and the Unesco-listed Okavango Delta; a vast wetland in the Kalahari Desert that is one of the world's last havens for cheetahs and the black rhinoceros.
The Okavango Delta will also see a number of new openings, including the 100% solar-powered Mbamba Camp in the delta's lagoon-and-savannah-dotted north, a luxury lodge offering a blend of comfort and family-friendly wildlife adventures that's slated to open in April 2025. Opening in May 2025 is Monachira Camp, where visitors can enjoy walking safaris, mokoro canoe rides and armchair safaris while coming face to face with elephants, lions and the Pel's Fishing Owl.
Starting in April 2025, new Air Botswana routes will connect Gaborone to Cape Town, making it even easier for visitors to explore Botswana's magical nature for themselves – sustainably. – Eva Sandoval
25. Oslo, Norway
"Is it even a city?" a recent viral ad for Oslo, Norway asked. The tongue-in-cheek video nodded to how overtourism has sullied other European capitals while showcasing the Norwegian capital's extreme walkability; world-class dining; and easy access to nearby fjords, islands and serene postcard-perfect landscapes. Known for its modern architecture, sweeping waterfront and no shortage of trees (it's one of Europe's most-forested cities), Oslo is luring the kinds of visitors who will do their part to ensure that it remains one of the world's most sustainable cities.
Visitors here are encouraged to refer to the Visit Oslo Responsibly guidelines and the Green Oslo Guide, which break down the concept of sustainable tourism into four categories: planet, people, prosperity and partnership. It's not unusual for hotels in the city centre to feature green roofs that produce food, reduce energy use, manage rainwater and support urban biodiversity.
Travellers can ensure their visit has a positive impact on residents and the local environment by supporting local businesses like the Norwegian Adventure Company, which offers "life-changing and sustainable experiences" from its base in Oslo, like kayaking through glacier-carved fjords, and chasing the Northern Lights. After a long day of exploring the spectacular Nordic countryside, dine at one of the city's many farm-to-table restaurants, like the Michelin-starred Maaemo, which utilises locally grown organic produce. So, is it even a city? Find out in 2025. – Lynn Brown
Jordan Top Destinations to Discover
Jordan offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, making it an enticing destination to explore . Here are some must-visit places in Jordan during this season:
- Petra: This ancient Nabatean city is undoubtedly Jordan's most famous attraction. Carved into rose-red cliffs, Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. While summer temperatures can be high, fall and spring would be the best time to visit, visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon allows you to explore this mesmerizing site comfortably.
- Wadi Rum: Known as the Valley of the Moon, Wadi Rum is a vast desert landscape of sandstone mountains and red sand dunes. Summer in Wadi Rum can be hot, but the breathtaking scenery and opportunities for adventure, such as jeep tours, camel rides, and camping under the stars, it must to try Rum Magic Nights Camp make it a memorable experience.
- Dead Sea: The Dead Sea, famous for its high salt content and therapeutic mud, is a unique natural wonder and the lowest point on Earth. Despite the summer heat, floating effortlessly in the buoyant waters of the Dead Sea is a must-do experience. Many resorts along the Dead Sea offer luxurious amenities and spa treatments.
- Amman: Jordan's capital city, Amman, is a vibrant metropolis with a rich history spanning several millennia. While the summer heat can be intense, exploring the city's ancient ruins, bustling markets, and vibrant culinary scene is still enjoyable, especially in the cooler mornings and evenings.
- Jerash: Located just north of Amman, Jerash is home to one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world. Exploring the well-preserved ruins of Jerash, including its colonnaded streets, temples, and theaters, offers a fascinating glimpse into Jordan's ancient past.
- Aqaba: Situated on the Red Sea coast, Aqaba is Jordan's only coastal city and a popular destination for beachgoers and water sports enthusiasts. Despite the summer heat, the Red Sea offers excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities, with vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of marine life to discover.
- Dana Biosphere Reserve: For nature lovers, a visit to the Dana Biosphere Reserve provides a welcome escape from the summer heat. This vast nature reserve encompasses diverse ecosystems, from rugged mountains to verdant valleys, and offers excellent hiking trails, wildlife watching, and opportunities to experience Bedouin culture.
When visiting Jordan, it's essential to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen in summar, and plan outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day. With its wealth of historical sites, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality, Jordan promises an unforgettable summer getaway.
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